Retaining means for helmets and face masks



1959 H. 1 ROTH ETAL 2,867,812

RETAINING MEANS FOR HELMETS AND FACE MASKS Filed Oct. 10, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet 1 9 7- roe/vzys Jan. 13, 1959 I T ETAL 2,867,812

RETAINING MEANS FOR HELMETS AND FACE MASKS Filed Oct. 10, 1955 2SheetsSheet 2 67/4 2455 EZ o/vaaeo IN V EN TOR-3 4 rrae/vm s StatsRETAINING MEANS FOR HELMETS AND FACE MASKS Applicationflctober 10, 1955,Serial No. 539,618

7- Claims. (c1. 2-6) This invention relates to"retai'ning means forhelmets and face masks, and included in the objec'to'f this invention'are: r n

First, to provide 'ar'e'ta'in'ing means which is particularly' designedto maintain both the crash helmet and oxygen face mask in place on thehead and face of an aviator, even under the extreme conditions ofbail-out from an aircraft traveling. at supersonic speeds. 7

Second, to'provide a device of this class which may be adapted toconventional crash helmets and face masks without materially alteringthe face mask and by the addition of latch units-on the crash helmet, orwhich may be incorporated integrally in a face mask of special design,or especially adapted for use with the type of crash helmet disclosed inPatent No. 2,625,683, issued January 20; 1953.

Third, to provide a retaining means of this class which incorporatesconnecting straps and special latch units for coupling the face mask andhelmet,- wherein the face mask maybe held loosely of tightly in placeand wherein the angular relation of the-face mask and helmetmay bereadily adjusted.-

Fourth, to provide a retaining means of this class which, thoughdependably connectingthe helmet and face mask, is yieldable to movementof the wearers jaw.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appearhereinafter',references directed to the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an aviators crash helmet and oxygen face maskshown secured in place by the retaining means;-

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modifiedform of retaining means;

Fig; 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through 33 of Fig. 1 showing aportion of the face mask and retaining means;

Fig. 4 is-afragmentary sectional'view' imilar to Fig. 3, but showing theretaining means molded integrally with the face mask;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the retaining means with the retaining strapsextended;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the retaining means with the straps shownfragrnentarilyg.

Fig. '7" is a fragmentary sectional view through 77 of Fig. 1, showingparticularly one of the latch units; and

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional, partial elevational view of one of thelatch units. I

An aviators crash helmet 1, suitable for the purposes of the'presentinventiomis shownin Figs. 1 and 2. The helmet may beof the typedisclosed in Patent No. 2,625,683, issued January 20, 1953.

The helmet 1- covers the head of the wearer and is open at' its-forwardside to expose the'face. helmet include downwardly projectingear-covering portions 2. The open under and forward sides of the helmetarebordered by a padded rim 3.

An eye shield 4 is movable into position to cover the eyes and upperportion of the users face. Arms 5 exate The sides of the tend from theeye'shiel'd 4 to p'ivotmountings 6 provided at opposite sides of thehelmet. For the purposes of the present invention, the eye shield may beconsidered as conventional.

A guide track 7 extends forwardly and rearwardly along the crown of thehelmet 1. A latch means having a latch handle 8 rides in the guide trackand is connected to the eye shield 4 by a spring arm 9.

The retaining means constituting the present invention utilizes aconventional oxygenface mask 10 molded of rubber and having suitablepassages, not shown, for communication with the mouth and nose of thewearer.

The face mask 10'includes cheek flaps 11 which cover the cheeks of thewearer. The face mask also includes a portion 12 which extends under thechin of the wearer. The forward portion of the face mask is directeddownwardly to form a tubular snout 13 which is joined to a suitablesupply tube 14.

The retaining means comprising the present invention includes areinforcing saddle 15 having a nose-bridging portion 16 extending overthe upper forward portion of the face mask and a chin web 17 extendingunder the chin portion 12 of the face mask.

The reinforcing saddle 15 is provided with a back opening i8 whichpermits the face mask 10 to project rearwardly therefrom and is providedwith a front opening 19 through. which the tubular snout 13 of the facemask extends. The reinfor-cing saddle 15 is preferably formed of plasticmaterial reinforced with glass cloth or other high strength material, ormay be made of metal.

The reinforcing saddle 15 may be arranged to he slipped over the supplytube 14 into position on the face mask 10, and is contoured to conformclosely to the irregularities of the. face mask. Alternatively, thereinforcing saddlemay be" molded integrally with the face mask, asindicated in Fig. 4. In either case, it is desirable that thereinforcingsaddle cover the valve elements, not shown, which are locatedwithin the face mask within the area embraced by the nose-bridgingportion 16.

The reinforcing saddle 15 is connected to the helmet 1 by a harnessstructure 20. The harness structure includes a pair of chin straps 21which extend downwardly from each side of the reinforcing saddle andcross under the chin web 17. The chin straps include extended portions22 which are adapted to be directed toward the lower extremitiesof theear-covering side portions 2 of the helmet 1. The harness 20 alsoincludes a nose strap 23 which extends substantially horizontally aroundthe nosebridging portion 16.

The nose strap 23 includes a pair of extended portions 24 which reach tothe sides of the helmet 1 at levels above the chin-strap extendedportions 22. The harness 20 is secured to the reinforcing saddle 15 byrivets 25, or other suitable securing means. The extended portions 22 ofthe chin straps 21- are preferably joined near their point of crossingby a cross strap 26, which underlies the chin of the user, preferablyrearwardly of the rearward edge of the chin web 17 Each of the fourextremities of the extended portions 22 and 24 is folded upon itself toform a loop which receives an eye 27 of a latch bolt 28. Each latch boltis in the form of a flat metal strap having pairs of notches 29 alongits lateral margins.

Each latch bolt 28 is adapted to be inserted in a latch keeper housing30. Each latch keeper housing includes a base member 31, the under sideof which is contoured to conform to the region of the helmet 1 in whichthe keeper housing is placed.

The base member 31 receives a top plate 32. Between the base member andthe top plate there is defined a latch bolt guideway 33 and laterallydirected latch lever slots 34. Suitable securingmeans 35 extenddownwardly 2,852,812 Patented Jan. 13,1959

base member for securing each notches disposed along the correspondingmargin of a latch bolt 28. The opposite ends of the latch levers 37protrude to form handles 38. levers into engagement with the notches 29.

The notches 29 are so shaped that the latch bolts 28 may be readilypushed into their respective latch keeper Springs 39 urge the latchhousings, but are normally restrained against removal by the pair oflatch levers in each housing. In order to release a latch bolt 28, hisnecessary to engage simultaneously the handle ends 38 of the pair oflatch levers 37. By reason of this construction the latch bolts may bereadily released from the latch keeper housing when desired, but theyare safe against accidental operation of either latch lever.

Operation of the retaining means is as follows:

;The reinforcing saddle and harness are fitted on the oxygen mask 10 asa permanent attachment, or as indicated in Fig. 4 the oxygen mask ismounted with the reinforcing saddle as an integral part. The helmet 1 isplaced on the wearers head in the conventional manner and the oxygenmask is brought into place. The four latch bolts 28 are inserted intheir respective latch keeper in} the event of an impending emergencythe user may merely push on the respective latch bolts 28 to tighten themask. To facilitate engagement with the latch bolts 28, small knobs orother projecting members may be provided adjacent the eyes 27 of thelatch bolts.

The cross strap 26 which underlies the chin of the wearer is yieldable,and is normally Worn to permit some movement of the wearers jaw.However, it may be arranged to fit snugly when the straps are tightened,as inlthe event of an impending emergency. In the event ofimpact on thefront of the mask 10 or its reinforcing saddle 15, cross strap 26, beingof non-rigid material, does not constitute a danger to the wearersthroat, as would be the case if the chin web 17 extended rearwardly toserve the anchoring function of cross strap 26.

Reference is now directed to Fig. 2. In the construction hereillustrated, the chin strap extension 22 and corresponding nose strapextension 24 on each side of the mask 19 are joined to a common latchbolt 28a. Each latch bolt 28a is provided with a pair of spaced eyes 27awhich receive the strap extensions. In the use of a single latch boltfor each sideof the retaining means, it is preferred to provideadditional means for adjustment of the strap extensions. Thus the chinstrap extensions 22 may be provided with adjustment buckles 41.

While the eye shield 4 has been referred to as con ventional, it shouldbe observed that its lower margin is trimmed or shaped to conform to theupper portion of the reinforcing saddle 15.

Tests have been conducted utilizing the helmet, mask, and retainingmeans substantially as shown in Fig. l. A dummy was equipped with thehelmet, mask, and reraining means and placed in an ejection seat on arocket sled. The seat was ejected when the sled was traveling in excessof 600 knots at aMach number in excess of .9.

The mask and helmet remained in place and in functioning position on thedummy.

A helmet and mask held in place by conventional ,4 means have proven tobe completely unsatisfactory under the conditions of bail-out ator'n'ear supersonic speeds. Loss of helmets during bail-outs and crashlandings has left the head unprotected, with resulting severe and fatalinjuries in most cases; 7

It should be observed that'the strap extensions 22 not only pulldownwardly on the ear-enclosing portions of the helmet, but also byreason-of the chin strap '26 draw the ear-enclosing portions toward eachother, so that these portions may press lightly'against the sides of thewearers head. I

The side-gripping action of'the ear-covering portions supplements theaction of the face mask 10 and reinforcing means in retaining the helmetinplace, and distributes the load so that it is not taken entirely bythe wearers chin. This -is accomplished by the aid of the chin strap 26without causing the chin strap to press against the throat of thewearer.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details ofthe constructions set forth, and it embraces such changes,modifications, and equivalents of theparts and their formation andarrangement as comewithin the purview of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. The combination with a helmet having a rigid shell adapted to fitover the head of the wearer and having earcovering side portions, and aface mask having a forward portion adapted to fit over and enclose thenose and mouth, and an under portion adapted to fit under and engage thechin of the wearer, 'of a retaining means, comprising: a rigid saddlememberof substantially the same configuration as and being carried bysaid face mask and engaging portions of said mask at said forward andunder portions thereof; a pair of upper straps and a pair of lowerstraps extending from fixed laterally spaced points on the forward andunderportioris of said saddle member to the side portions of saidhelmet; and means readily adjustably securing said straps to the sideportions of said helmet at spaced points in fixed relation to each otherand to said helmet, said means anchoring said straps to prevent pivotalmovement of said face mask relative to 1 4. A retaining means assetforth in claim 1, wherein:'

said securing means includes a latch bar at the extremity of each strap,and a keeper housing for each latch bar secured to the sides ofsaidhelmet at said spaced fixed points thereon.

5. A retaining means as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said securingmeans includes a latch bar common to the upper and lower member of eachpair of straps, and a keeper housing for each latch bar secured to acorresponding side of said helmet, said straps of each pair beingsecured to spaced portions 'of said latch bar atsaid spaced fixedpoints.

6. A retaining means as set forthinclaim 1, wherein: said securing meansincludes a keeper housing secured to the sides of said helmet, duallatch levers pivotally mounted in each housing, and latch bars'connected to said straps, each having a series of dual catch notches forengagement by said dual latch levers.

7. The combination with a helmet having a rigid shell adapted to fitover the head of the wearer and having earcovering side portions, and aface mask having a forward POTtiOH pted to fit over and enclose the noseand mouth, and an under portion adapted to fitunder and engage the chinofthe wearer, of a retammg means, t omp ing; 21' ;id saddle member ofsubstantlally the same configuration as and being carried by said facemask and engaging the major area of said mask at said forward and underportions thereof; a nose strap bridging the nose-covering portion ofsaid face mask and having end portions extending toward the sideportions 'of said helmet; a pair of chin straps extending downwardlyfrom said nose strap under the chin of the wearer and crossing to formend portions extending toward the side portions of the helmet below saidnose strap; a cross strap extending under the chin of the wearer andjoined to said chin straps; and means readily adjustably securing saidstraps to the side portions of said helmet at spaced points in fixedrelation to each other and to said helmet, said means anchoring saidstraps to prevent pivotal move ment of said face mask relative to saidhelmet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,353,643 Bulbulian July 18, 1944 2,414,405 Bierman et al. Jan. 14, 19472,742,039 Bloom Apr. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 286,603 France Nov. 16,1950

